All
the previous drills have been performed against topspin.
Now you need to learn how to return backspin effectively.
The easiest stroke to use to return a backspin shot is
the push. The push, like the block, is a very simple and
easy stroke. It is, however, a very important part of the
game and must be mastered.

The
push is typically used when the opponent gives you a
backspin return that is so well placed that you cannot
attack it safely. The push is then used to keep the ball
in play until a better opportunity for attacking comes
along.

The
main purpose of the push is not so much to win the point,
but to return it accurately and safely. For this reason,
concentrate on developing good touch and control on your
pushes, and forget about power and speed.

A
push stroke is performed using an open racket angle and
contacting the ball somewhere between the center and the
bottom. Stroke motion is from high to low in a forward
direction. This motion and the open racket angle result
in applying your own backspin to the ball. The push is a
relatively slow speed stroke with only a small amount of
gentle acceleration. It is performed very close to, or
often, actually over the table. The point of contact is
after the top of the bounce, as the ball is
falling.

Lesson 17: Backhand Push

To
learn the push, change the spin setting of your robot to
backspin. Decrease the ball speed to 2, the ball
frequency to 3, and turn the oscillator off when the
robot head lines up with the middle of your backhand
court. The head angle should be set to "C".

Turn the robot on and practice pushing with your
backhand. Stroke mainly with the forearm, keeping the
elbow and upper arm relatively still. At first your
returns will likely keep going into the net because of
the effect of the backspin. Keep opening up your racket
angle and aim for the bottom of the ball. Contact is
light, almost like you are trying to slice the bottom off
the ball. If the ball keeps going into the net it may be
necessary to lift your elbow somewhat as you make contact
with the ball.

When you get the ball to clear the net, keep the push as
low over the net as you can. Don't push hard or fast.
Rather, use a soft, guiding touch with your push so you
can place it accurately. Regain the ready position after
each stroke.

When you get the feel for the push, practice until you
can push 50 crosscourt, 50 down-the-line, and 25 patterns
of alternating crosscourt and down-the-line pushes
without missing. Gradu

ally increase the frequency up to 4 and the ball speed up
to 3. After reaching your upper limit, turn the unit off
and set the sweep control levers to sweep within the
backhand court and practice your backhand push with the
ball moving around randomly.

Lesson 18: Forehand Push

The
forehand push is the next stroke to learn. Like the other
forehand strokes, contact the ball to the side of and
slightly in front evenly distributed on both legs. Push
the racket towards the bottom of the ball by
straightening out the forearm. At the same time, take a
small step forward after ball contact.

The
racket head should rotate around so it is pointing
forward at the end of the stroke. It may help to bend
your upper

so you
can better see the bottom of the ball. Regain the ready
position between each stroke.

Practice the forehand push at slow speed and frequency
until you can consistently push 50 in a row crosscourt,
then down-the-line, and finally, alternating crosscourt
and down-the-line. Increase the frequency to 4 and the
ball speed to 3. Next, practice the push with the robot
set to sweep within the entire forehand court. Then
change the control levers so the robot sweeps the entire
table and practice combining forehand and backhand
pushes. Recover to the ready position after each stroke
and before moving to the next stroke. Your goal is 50
consecutive pushes without missing.

Photo 14: Backhand Push
(Crosscourt)

Notice that the speed of the racket is
constant. The even spacing between images
indicates a smooth, flowing stroke. Also note
the small step forward with the with the right
leg and how the upper body is tilted forward so
the elbow hangs in front of the
body.

Images 1 &2
(almost completely overlapping): End of back
swing. Racket was open.

Image
3: Forward swing. Racket angle
has not changed. Right leg begins to step
forward at the same time as the forearm begins
to push the racket forward.

Images 5 &
6:End
of stroke. Arm has been almost completely
extended been lowered slightly (as shown by
position of face). Racket tip is pointing
forward. Stroke could actually have ended at
Image 5. Racket movement between 5 and 6 is
unnecessary.